Money box



Dec. 27, ,1955 A. w. WOLTERS 2,728,310

Fi l e d D e 0 2 l l 9 51 Augusgm was M ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1955 A, w. WOLTERS 2,728,310

MONEY BOX Filed Dec. 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 67 F as .7 o

I -92 i II 10 J :5 sip 12 l l 32 4 36 Q 5 I' 54 :1 I 86 J? 96 100 I 52 :fi

5 F 4 INVENTOR l g Wit alters ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1955 A. w. WOLTERS 2,728,310

MONEY BOX Filed Dec. 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Auug! W Woliers ATTORNEY United States Patent MONEY BOX August Wilhelm Wolters, New York, N. Y. I Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,720 Claims. (Cl. 109 t6) The present invention relates to money boxes, and particularly to a type of money box having means to release and drop the money to a safe place when used without authorization.

In my prior copending application, Serial No. 98,003, entitled Money Box and filed June 9, 1949, now Patent No. 2,613,622 there is disclosed a novel money box. This novel box is constructed so that unauthorized opening causes any money in it to fall to a remote place of safekeeping, whereas with authorized use of the box in a predetermined manner, the money is retained in the box.

It is an object of the present invention to improve money boxes in general, and in particularto improve the money box disclosed in my patent, supra.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for a money box with a retractable bottom to retain the bottom against retraction when authorized use is made of the box.

A further object of the invention is to provide for retaining the bottom against retraction when authorized use is made of such a box, in a way less readily available to unauthorized users, and which provides greater safety of the money or other valuables in the box.-

Another object of the invention is to make easier and safer the resetting of the retractable bottom than heretofore. as

In accordance with one important feature of the invention, the money box has a key-operated second keeper to prevent retraction of the retractable bottom when the lid is opened and the first lid-actuated keeper is withdrawn. Further, this second key-operated keeper includes a pair of pawls which cooperate with the retractable bottom when turned into proper position to prevent its retraction when the lid is opened. When-the lid is closed, the second keeper is operable; not only to prevent retraction of the retractable bottom, but'also to move the bottom into a position which automatically releases the pawls. The pawls then drop, preferably by gravity, out of engagement, and the bottom is freely retractable when unauthorized users, without benefit of the'key, open the lid.

Another feature of the present invention resides in providing an easy yet safe means for resetting the mechanism after unauthorized use. Rather than requiring 'removal of a door, or of a removable side, foraccess to the dead space into which the bottom may be retracted, a narrow slot is provided in one side wall of the money box.' Into this narrow slot, a suitable tool, which may be a narrow bar of iron or steel, is inserted for resettingl The tool may have a notched end to bear against the retractable bottom and return it to the desired position against the urging of a spring. if the slot provided access at all times for resetting the mechanism, the requirement for a key to prevent retraction of the bottom would be of no avail. Therefore, to enhance and retain the safety of'the arrangement, the slot or opening is providedwith a'shield which affords a closure when the door is; closed.

Access to the bottom to reset itthrough the slot is there:

ice

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a money box according to the present invention, with the lid closed;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the box taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, and with the bottom held in money retaining position by the pawls;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the box taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pawl. mechanism with the bottom retracted into the dead space,

Fig. 5 is a top view of the box with the lid open, and the bottom in money retaining position; and

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the box with the lid open and the bottom retracted into the dead space.

Referring to Fig. l, the money box has front and back walls 10 and 12 respectively, and left and right walls 14 and 16 respectively, the walls 12 and 16 being concealed in Fig. l. The walls are thus designated because usually though not necessarily, an authorized user would so view them. A lid 18 is hinged on the upper part of back wall 12. Drilled angle irons 20 and 22 are bolted to right and left walls M and 16 respectively, by which the money box may be installed with the lid flush or nearly flush.

with a counter top. The front side wall 10 has a slot 24 through which a resetting tool may be inserted. A key 26 is shown in place in a keyhole in a suitable key plate 2 3 installed on the left side 14.

Referring especially to Figs. 2 and 3, internally the box is divided into suitable money compartments by partitions 30, 32, as, and 36, which extend between left and right walls 14 and 16. These partitions may be fitted neatly and the assembly of them reinforced with rectangularly bent fitting members such as 38 (see also Fig. 6). The front partition 36 nearest front wall 10 also serves as a wall of the dead space 40. The dead space is closed to access from the money compartment space by a continuation wall 42 of the front dividing wall 36. The continuation wall 42 extends from the top of front dividing wall 36 to the top of front wall 10. The inclination of continuation wall 42 aids in avoiding inadvertently resting money within the box Without depositing the money in a compartment ready for dropping through the bottom with unauthorized use. 1

The money compartments in normal use areclosed by a retractable bottom 44 slideable in a pair of; guides 46 and 48 secured to the left and right walls respectively, The slot 24 is aligned with the plane of motion of bottom 44. A pair of pins 50 and 52 respectively near theleft and right walls 14 and 16 are guided for vertical motion adjacent back wall 12 by guides 54 mounted on back wall 12. At their lower ends, the pins 50 and 52 each has a taper with an inclined rear face, suchas 56 on the right pin. With the lid closed, the pins 50, 52 are engaged in holes 58 and 60 (see also Fig. 6) in the re tractable bottom. A pair of link bars 59 and 61 are provided connected respectively between the upper endsof pins 59 and 52 respectively and points on the lid 18 to which they are connected as by hinges 62 and 64 respectively.

. Still referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of coil springs 66 and 68 are secured on the left and right sides respectively, each secured at one end of the springto-the retractable, bottom, and at its other end to the left-and Patented Dec. 27, 1955 swee en:

rightaside walls .14 and -16 respectively. However, the left spring 66 is secured to left side wall 14 with the aid of a stand-off post 70 to assure that when the spring is extended it clears a -lrey frame' 69 in which the key 26may be insertetl. This "pair of springs 66, 68 urge the retractable bottomin its left-and right guides 4'6, 48 'always toward the front ofthe box; viz, the retracted position. There is secured to the under-side of retractable bo'ttom44 a bar 72. The bar 7Z'serves as detent means for'apair ofleft and right pawls 74 and 76 respectively The pawls '74 and '76 may have a bevel such as 76:: corresponding to a head on detent 72. The detent bars are mounted on a spindle 80 to rotate together with "the spindle. The'spindle 'is'rotatably held in suitable mountings 82 and 84-s'ecured to the left and right walls 14'and 16 respectively. The left mounting 82 includes the key frame "69. At its left end 86 the spindle 80 protrudes through the mounting into the key frame. The spindle end 86 is asymmetrical with respect to the axis of spindle rotation, and shaped to mate with a similarly shaped opening in "the key '26. Thus the spindle may be turned by turning the key 26'when the key and the spindle end are mated.

Referring especially to Figs. 2 and 4, a plate orshield 88 serves to cover the slot 24 when lid 18 is closed. The plate 88 is slidably mounted against front wall 10 for restricted vertical movement. At the top, an opening 90 is formed between continuation wall 42 and front wall 10 by deforming or cutting out a portion of continuation wall'42. The walls'of this opening 90 (note Pig. serves to guide the upper part of shield 88 in its vertical motion. A shieldspring9'2 is afiixed at one end to front wall and at the other'end to the shield 88. When the lid -18 is'closed, the upper end of shield 88 is urged by the spring upward against the front center of the lid. The lid, however, in its closed position forces the shield 88 downward against the pressure exerted by spring 92. in this position, thedow'er end portion of the shield 88 covers the slot 24, and the lower end of the shield 88 rests in a bracket 94. A -U-bar 96 is affixed to front wall 10 with its open 'side faced to the wall to provide a transversely longitudinal chamber filled with a sound-deadening material 98, for example cotton or felt. This U-bar receives along its base the blow of the retractable bottom when the bottom is released andbrought forward by its springs 66 and '68. The U-bar has an opening corresponding to and in alignment with the slot 24- to permit access of a resetting tool, such as '100, to reset the bottom 44.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the device will be readily understood. When the lid 18 is closed, it is'held against accidental opening by its frictio'nal engagement withthe side walls 10, 12, 14, and 16, although other means (not shown) may be providedif desired. Whenthe box 26 is to be opened in authorized manner, the key 26 must be used to turn the 'pawls"74, 76 from "their normal downward position (see Fig. -4) where'theyremain by force of gravity, into position 'to engage'with detent 72, as in Fig. 2. The bevels, such as 760, enable the'pawl to slip easily into such position. The pawls 74, '76 areso held manually while the lid "13 is-t'aised. As the'lid is raised, the links 59, 61 impart an upward motion to withdraw the pins 50, 52 from the holes 58, '60 in the retractable bottom '44. As the pins are withdrawn, with "their initial motion, the bottom 44 moves slightly forward, due to the inclined faces as 56, and the detents (that is, the detent -bar'72) engage the pawls 74, 7 6. This 'engagementof the pawls now holds them in place, and the retractable bottom is held in position to close the bottom between partitions 30 to 36. At'the same'time, the opening movement of lid 18 allows the shield 88 to move up, until the spring 92 is fully contracted. The shield motion is suflicient to uncover the slot 24. Howe've'r, as the opening is authorized, this is immaterial. v

Moneymay now be inserted or withdrawn from 1 the money compartments formed by thepartitions .30 to 36. After the desired insertion or withdrawal, the lid 18 may be closed. As it resumes its closed position, the links 59, 61 push the pins 56, 52 downward. They are free to enter the holes 58, due to thheir tapered end faces such as 56. These end faces bear against the hole edges, and, with the final movementof the pins 50, 52 as the lid is closed, act as a wedge, or inclined plane, forcing the retractable bottom slightly backward. Thereupon, the pawls 74,76'drop by force of gravity, out of engagement with the detent bar 72. The key should then be removed to a place freely available only to authorized personnel. The box is then in its initial-condition.

An unauthorized person attempting to open the box without the key or without knowledge thereof, lifts the lid, without engaging the pawls 74, 76. Thereupon, the pins 50, 52 are withdrawn from the holes 58, 60 as they are/moved =upward bythe links "'59, 61. The springs 66, 68 'pull' the retractable bottom freely forward into the dead "space dtl until it strikes the U-bar 96. Any money within the money compartments thereupon falls through into a safer place previously arranged located below the money box.

To reset theretractable bottom after unauthorized use (tr-accidental "-use without the key, a resetting tool may -beemployedwhich is a still? bar with a notch at one end. With' the'Iid up, so that slot 24 is open, the tool is inserted with "the notch against the front edge of there tractable bottom d l. The-bottom 44 may then be pushed by "the tool into its rearmost position under the money compartments, against the force'exerted by springs66, 68. Thenthekey 26 may he employed to turn the-pawls 74, "76 into position to engage the detent bar 72, and held so with the key 26 as'the tool 100 is withdrawn. Thereupon the pawls 74, 76 and the detent bar engage and the box is-"ready 'to be closed in regular manner, and is thus returned tp-co'ndition for authorizeduse. When the lid 18 is :los'ed,-however, the shield 88 is forced down by the 'lid to close access to the'dead space 40 by the' tool 100. Therefore, the tool 100 cannot be used by an unauthorized person-topreventretraction of the bottom-44 into the dead space-40-and the device'is safe against such unauthorized use.

'Although the side walls of the box are shown assembled with screws, it is -apparent that rivets or othermore secure' m'eansi may :be employed if desired.

It'is apparent that there is disclosed herein an improved money tbox *which provides easy access of authorized users to' the contents, but which foils the attempts of unauthorized users 10 gain the-contents. Without the availability 'of alproper key, authorized use cannot be made ofth'is box,' and with unauthorized use without thekey, the money or other valuables therein drop automatically to a pla'cemf *greatensafety than the box. The boxzis also provided -with"'means making resetting of the box'unavailable "to-Ian unauthorized user .as a means forpreventing reu'adtion' of the bottom and the dropping of the contents with unauthorized use.

What'is'clairned .is

1.1'In a'money-box having side-walls, further walls, said walls defining insaidtbox a money compartment space and a-dea'd space closed to access from said money compartment space, and a lid for said money compartment='-space,the"combination comprising a retractable bottom for and under said money compartmentspace when in non-retracted position and retractable into said dead space, -:means urging' said bottom into said dead space, means-=ac'tuated by said'lid to engage and retain said bottom in 'znonaretracted'position under said money compartment space when said lid is closed, and releasing said bottom fori'retraction when .said lid is open, a det'e'nt means ion sa'id bottom, :a" pawl means normallyout et e gsgemenr wim' said detent, "said pawl means being manually operable to=engage said detent onlywhen said bottom is in norfiretracted position and there retain-"said bottom, whereby said bottom is released when said lid is opened and thereupon is retracted to said dead space unless said pawl and detent means are engaged, said detent means being on the under side of said bottom, said pawl means having a pair of pawls rotatably mounted below said bottom, said pawls being gravitationally urged to a position of non-engagement with said detent means, and operable by a key to a position to engage said detent.

2. In a money box having side walls, further walls, said walls defining in said box a money compartment space and a dead space closed to access from said money compartment space, and a lid for said money compartment space, the combination comprising a retractable bottom for and under said money compartment space when in non-retracted position and retractable into said dead space, means urging said bottom into said dead space, means actuated by said lid to engage and retain said bottom in non-retracted position under said money compartment space when said lid is closed, and releasing said bottom for retraction when said lid is open, a detent means on said bottom, a pawl means normally out of engagement with said detent, said pawl means being manually operable to engage said detent only when said bottom is in non-retracted position and there retain said bottom, whereby said bottom is released when said lid is opened and thereupon is retracted to said dead space unless said pawl detent means are engaged, said detent means comprising a detent bar on the under side of said bottom, said pawl means comprising a pair of pawls to engage said detent bar, a spindle on which said pawls are spaced apart and mounted, said spindle having one end shaped to conform to and mate with a key.

3. In a money box having side walls, further walls, said walls defining in said box a money compartment space and a dead space closed to access from said money compartment space, and a lid for said money compartment space, the combination comprising a retractable bottom for and under said money compartment space when in non-retracted position and retractable into said dead space, means urging said bottom into said dead space, means actuated by said lid to engage and retain said bottom in non-retracted position under said money compartment space when said lid is closed, and releasing said bottom for retraction when said lid is open, a detent means on said bottom, a pawl means normally out of engagement with said detent, said pawl means being manually operable to engage said detent only when said bottom is in non-retracted position and there retain said bottom, whereby said bottom is released when said lid is opened and thereupon is retracted to said dead space 1 unless said pawl and detent means are engaged, one of said side walls defining a part of said dead space and having a slot to receive a resetting tool, a shield arranged within the box on said wall and actuated by said lid to close said slot only when said lid is closed.

4. In a money box having side walls, further walls, said walls defining in said box a money compartment space and a dead space closed to access from said money compartment space, and a lid for said money compartment space, the combination comprising a retractable bottom for and under said money compartment space when in non-retracted position and retractable into said dead space, sound deadening material for cushioning the movement of said bottom when retracted, means urging said bottom into said dead space, means actuated by said lid to engage and retain said bottom in non-retracted position under said money compartment space when said lid is closed, and releasing said bottom for retraction when said lid is open, a detent means on said bottom, a pawl means normally out of engagement with said detent, said pawl means being manually operable to engage said detent only when said bottom is in non-retracted position and there retain said bottom, whereby said bottom is released when said lid is opened and thereupon is retracted to said dead space unless said pawl and detent means are engaged, one of said side walls defining a part of said dead space and having a slot to receive a resetting tool, said bottom being retractable slidably into said dead space toward said one wall, said slot being positioned in alignment with the near edge of said bottom, a shield arranged to slide with limited vertical motion and alongside the inner side of said one wall, means urging said shield in an upward direction, the lower end portion of said shield closing said slot in the shield lowermost position and opening said slot in the shield uppermost position, the upper end of the shield being positioned against said lid when said lid is closed, whereby the said lid when closed holds said shield in its lowermost position and when said lid is opened the shield is urged to its uppermost position.

5. A rectangular-shaped money box comprising a front wall having a slot, 21 back wall opposite said front wall, a pair of side walls opposite each other one of which has a key hole, said walls together forming four closed sides of said box, a lid hinged on said back wall, at least one further wall defining with said back wall and side walls a money compartment space, and defining with said front and side walls a dead space inaccessible from the top of said box, a pair of pins mounted for vertical slidable motion on said back wall and each having a tapered lower end, a pair of links each having one end connected respectively to the top of each pin and hinged at the other end of said lid, a bottom mounted for slidable forward and backward motion on said side Walls, said bottom in its backward non-retracted position serving as a bottom for said money compartment space and in its forward retracted position being withdrawn to leave said money compartment space without a bottom, said slot being in alignment with the path of travel of said bottom, said bottom having a pair of holes for engagement with the tapered lower ends, a pair of springs one on each side of said bottom urging said bottom into retracted position, a detent bar on the lower side of said bot tom, a pair of pawls, a spindle mounted between said side walls for rotation one end being shaped to mate with a key and in alignment with said key hole, said pawls be ing mounted on and rotatable with said spindle below the plane of movement of said bottom and thereby rotatable to engage the said detent bar when the bottom is in non-retracted position, said pawls being gravitationally urged to a position of non-engagement, the taper on said pins serving to withdraw the bottom to disengage the pawls from the detent bar when said lid is fully closed, a shield slideable to an uppermost and lowermost position against the inner side of said front wall, a spring held by said front wall urging said shield to its uppermost position, said shield at its top being engageable by the lid which when closed forces the shield to its lowermost position against the urging of said shield spring the shield in its lowermost position covering said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 359,965 Dyer Mar. 22, 1887 1,164,097 Kauifman Dec. 14, 1915 1,632,536 Breen June 14, 1927 1,884,506 Atwood Oct. 25, 1932 1,954,668 Ernst Apr. 10, 1934 1,975,554 Morrissey Oct. 2, 1934 2,159,315 Blue May 23, 1939 2,613,622 Wolters Oct. 14, 1952 

